Welcome!

FOOTLOOSE MONTANA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization promoting trap-free public lands for people, pets and wildlife. Please join us in our efforts and consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us with our mission.

TRAP-RELEASE WORKSHOP!

1p-3p

presented by Footloose Montana!North Valley Public Library, 208 Main Street, Stevensville, MT.
For more information, call 406-777-5061 or visit northvalleylibrary.org. All library programs are free and open to the public.

All Montana's wild critters deserve trap-free lands.

"We trappers do cause pain and suffering to animals and apologize to no one" Dennis "Foothold" Schutz, former Vice President of the Montana Trappers Association (MTA)

Every year, tens of thousands of leghold traps, body-crushing Conibear traps and snares are legally set on Montana’s public lands and along waterways. Montana trappers kill an average of 50,000 reported wild animals every trapping season, including fisher, mink, marten, otter, bobcat, swift fox and wolverine. Trappers, however, are not required to report numbers for the most commonly trapped species, which include beaver, coyote, red fox, skunk, badger and raccoon, so the total number is likely much higher. While there is an official furbearer trapping season, with some lax regulations, that runs from September through May, traps set for 'predators' and 'non-game wildlife' can be placed year-round anywhere at any time on public lands. Montana trappers are not required to check their traps within any specific period of time, nor do they need to put up signs to warn the public. Hundreds of pets, endangered species and other non-target animals are injured or killed in traps every year. Trapping is an outdated hobby that benefits few but endangers those of us who like to enjoy public lands with our children and companion animals. In a nutshell, trapping is a public safety threat, further endangers already struggling wildlife species such as wolverine, swift fox, fisher, marten and otter, and it presents a case of animal cruelty!